Unappreciated

Everyone, at one time or another, has felt unappreciated especially if you are a mom. Whether you are a stay at home mom or one who works outside of the home, there are always chores which fall to you to see that they are done. There is always a mountain of laundry waiting to be finished, maybe dishes in need of washing and meals to be prepared not to mention beds being made, dusting, vacuuming, and everything else. It can become overwhelming and discouraging which can lead to a feeling that we are unappreciated. 

A very wise woman once gave this piece of advice to a young pastor's wife who was discouraged feeling that her college education, in preparation for ministry, was not being used as a stay at home mother of young children, she told her: "your first mission field is your home." We can get so busy and caught up in everything that must be done that we fail to realize that no matter what we do we are working for the Lord and His approval, not anyone else. Colossians 3:23-24 says: 

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Life can become overwhelming at times. Sometimes its because we pile too much on our plate. But when we spread ourselves too thin we won't be able to do everything as well as we could have if we had set our priorities and learned to say 'no'. Its better to do a few things really well than to take on too much and become tired, discouraged and feeling unappreciated. I know that's contrary to the world's way of thinking where you have to 'have it all' and 'do it all', but I believe that our first priority is our home whether we work outside of the home or not. 

As women, we are the keepers of the home. It falls on us to make our homes and the lives of our family as peaceful as possible. Home should be a safe haven from the world and its concerns. It should be that place everyone can't wait to come to at the end of the day, not just a stopping off place to eat and sleep and rush out the door.

We have an important job to do ladies. The Lord tells us in Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 how we are to be keepers of the home and it is up to us to work for Him and with Him in mind. Yes, we may feel unappreciated by those around us, from time to time, but if we remind ourselves that we are ultimately working for the Lord, it will put things in the right perspective in our hearts.

Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not."

Maybe your family will never tell you how much they appreciate all that you do for them, but don't become discouraged. God sees all you do and He has a reward waiting for you. God bless.